Assistant, Elder Antuña, the last to go home

Elder Antuña left for Argentina this afternoon.

He had to leave a day later than his group.

Elder Antuña was a wonderful assistant and he will be missed by everyone in the mission.

A stop by the temple.

Pictures at the airport

 Hugs and loves.

 And one last good-bye through the glass...

New Missionaries Day 2

We started the day with breakfast in the mission home and emailing the parents to let them know they arrived safely last evening.

 We then had word of inspiration from President and Sister Marler and some training workshops.

 We had a belated Christmas dinner with Turkey and all of the trimmings. 

Complete with a Christmas present for each missionary.

 Then the trainers arrived!!! 

 Nothing better than meeting your new companion. 

 Sister Alfaro and her companion, Sister Lopez.

 Sister Neilsen and her trainer, Sister Gutierrez.

 Sister Beasley and her trainer, Sister Mazzei.

 Trainer, Elder Coca and his companion, Elder Cabezas. 

Trainer,  Elder McClellan and his companion, Elder Muñoa.

 Trainer Elder Diaz and his companion, Elder Ludeuña.

 Trainer Elder Palacio and his companion, Elder Jimenez.

 Elder Consuegra and his trainer, Elder Vera.

 Elder Barboza and his trainer, Elder Valcarcel.

 Elder Contreras and his trainer, Elder Cruz.

 Trainer, Elder Meza and his companion, Elder Alcazar. 

 Elder Rivera and his trainer, Elder Boekweg.

 Sister Lopez and Sister Alfaro doing a little planning.

 Elder Boekweg started with a selected reading from Preach my Gospel.

Elder Meza and Elder Alcazar putting their heads together to do a little planning for tomorrow.

Welcome New Missionaries

Outside of the glass you see our new missionaries arriving as the missionaries preparing to go home clap, welcome and wave…

The new missionaries waved back, then asked, "where are the missionaries who waved to us?"

Home!

President Mendez met us at the airport to say good-bye 

to some of the missionaries he has known in Chimbote

 There was a little Peruvian ban there to welcome travelers off the plane!

Great addition to the welcome party. 

 Sister Beasley, Sister Nielsen, Elder Haacke, Sister Alfaro, Elder Rivera, Elder Muñoa, 

Elder Contreras, Elder Barboza, Elder Cabezas, Elder Consuegra, Elder Ludueña,  Elder Alcarzar, 

Elder Jimenez and Elder Brown. 

 a little snack on the bus on the way to the Huaca.

 Hiking up to the Huaca (Moche temple)

 President Mendez ran up the hill, carrying the Peruvian Flag.  It was beautiful.

 We come up to the huaca to talk about the ancient temples of the Moche, their heritage here in Peru, and their progenitors who live here in Trujillo and areas round about.

We want to instill in our missionaries the 2000 year history that is here, and that we are inviting people to come to our temple, 2000 years later to receive the blessings 

that Heavenly Father promised their ancestors.

Last few moments in the Trujillo Mission

So you ask, What missionaries do their last 1/2 day in the mission?

Here are the last few photos of these wonderful missionaries:

 There is time to have a facial, with the items mom sent last Christmas, 

it was the first break they had in a year!

 Sister Bills posed with her famous exercise rock.  

There is a series of exercises that go with this creation. 

 Sister Manwill and sister Steckler, enjoyed their last moments of sun 

before heading home to winter and snow in Utah. 

 Sister Panchi made gifts to take home to her family. 

 Elder Castillo played a few numbers on the piano.

 Elder Antuña relaxed, visited the temple site, and enjoyed watching the new assistant, Elder Haacke

do all of the work he has done for the last 9 months!

 Sister Wayman and Sister Panchi had lunch and then...

 it was off to the airport.  Our first stop was the temple, one last view and a picture.

 At the airport the missionaries are greeted by dear friends.

 Sister Bills sported a new Peruvian hat. 

 …and there is always time for some last minute photos with Hermana Marler,

(Sister Bills and Elder Marchant)

 and President Marler. (Elder Chacon & Elder Guerra)

 Elder Cano, Elder Chacon and Elder Castillo 

 There are always a few tears shed and missionaries and those they have taught and loved, 

say good-bye. 

 President Mendez came up from Chimbote to say good-bye, 

here he is with Elder Haacke, Elder Leavitt and Elder Antuña. 

 Look at this wonderful group of missionaries and loving supporters…I love this tradition.

 Then there are the last minute hugs and pictures.

 Elder Orellana with the Arroyo family.

 Some of Elder Castillo's friends. 

 Sister Manwill with a special sister!

 …and with a huge carry on…will she make it home with all of her belongings?

 Elder Marchant with President and Sister Marler.

 Elder Marchant, Sister Manwill and Sister Steckler, saying good-bye from the other side of the glass.

 …and now something different, but so sweet, look outside the glass window, those 4 people are our new missionaries getting off the plane, with Sister Wayman and Sister Panchi waving and welcoming them as they wait to board the same plane and fly home.

The Sisters and Elders welcomed the new missionaries, through the door…the looks of joy on their faces were remarkable, what a great way to enter the mission Trujillo.  They will never meet each other, but I hope our new missionaries come to realize that these who have left, have paved the way for them to be successful missionaries.  They have loved the people here in Peru, and helped to open doors and soften hearts that they are now ready to hear the message that our new missionaries bring.

A message of love,

A message of hope,

A message of joy,

The Gospel of Jesus Christ,

Savior of the world.